Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.

Weather - Norfolk

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  • paigec

    abuon18...she did make it to her ship!! She put her stuff away and got to bed around 2 am. She's not on duty this weekend so she gets to explore and get familiar with the place until Tuesday.  She's found some friends and talked to her chief and things are moving along. Sounds like her plans are a bit up in the air but that's the military...Navy flexible!!! May the journey begin!! Again, very grateful for the support she got yesterday. This website has been a lifesaver. 

  • Andrea

    any mom's on here have kid heading or currently attending C school at Dam Neck

  • John and Yvonne

    Not a mom, but my husband and I open our home on the weekends and Holidays and invite sailors to come over. We feed them, play board games, do some outdoor activities.Let us know if your sailor might be interested. :)

    Yvonne and John

  • cao503

    Hello,

    My son has been assigned to a helo squadron in Norfolk. Anyone have any sailors with similar assignments?

  • juliw

    Hi cao503! My son is attached to an HSC squadron. That's helicopter sea combat and rescue. He's currently deployed though. 

  • cao503

    Hi Julie,

    My son will be with the HM 15. When not deployed does your son live on base? Is this what your son has always wanted to do? My son is undesignated so I am not sure what he will be qualified to do. Any info you can give will be greatly appreciated.

  • John and Yvonne

    to Moms,

    If your sons are here in Norfolk we would be happy to invite them over to our home on the weekends. Go to our page on this site and you can find out more of what we do. We feed them, play board games, go to special events in the area. We are like a 'home away from home' for them. We've been doing this for 17 years. :)

    Yvonne and John

  • juliw

    My son is in HSC 22 and he's been in for several years. Unfortunately for me, he deploys a lot. When he's on base he does live in the barracks. My son chose the Navy his senior year of high school when he realized college was really expensive. We live in a small rural community and there was nothing here for him. He made the choice to get out and do more. I don't know how undesignated works so I can't help you with that. Funny that Miss Yvonne commented here earlier because I was going to send you to her. Her and her husband are retired Navy and they love to adopt our children! (Yay!) She or Mr. John can probably give you the any real Navy information that you want. I can tell how my son feels about the barracks but the day-to-day-workings of his job or squadron. Welcome to the Navy Mom world!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    If anyone is looking for a B&B to stay at in VB my son recommends Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast.  He and his GF stayed there over Thanksgiving - it's about 2 blocks from the beach.  He said it was really nice - and the owners were fantastic.

  • Navymomof2daughters

    Hello, my daugher is completing A school and will need to report to Norfolk at some point after the holiday.  

  • misisu

    Hi all. Hope everyone has a happy holiday! My sailor’s ship is headed to the shipyard in the New Year. Any advice for him? Also, what are living conditions? I assume he will still be on the ship, but I don’t know. Any info and advice is greatly appreciated.

  • SoCal_Sailor_Dad

    Misisu, When my son reported to his ship, it was in the shipyard for repairs. No one could live on the ship. He was assigned to live on board a berthing barge docked nearby. Your sailor's experience may be different.

  • John and Yvonne

    misisu and Navymomof2daughters,

    Just wanted you two to know that my husband and I open our home on the weekends and invite the sailors over for food and board games on Saturday evenings and on Sundays for a sit down home cooked lunch. Sometimes we watch movies, play games or just get to know each other. Please let them know that if they want to hang out with us and other sailors, they are more than welcome to come over and get away from their ships. :)

    Yvonne and John

    P.S. You can check out our page on this site to find out more about us. :)

  • John and Yvonne

    P.P. S. We live in Virginia Beach, VA. :)

    Y and J

  • Wendy520

    My son will be finishing up Sub school in Groton in March and will be heading to Norfolk. I was wondering how the barracks are set up? Are they more like dorm rooms or are they more apartment like where they have a small kitchen so they can cook some things for themselves? TIA!

  • John and Yvonne

    Wendy520,

    I know some of the barracks are set up with a kitchenette, a bathroom and two bedrooms. The kitchenette usually has a microwave and a fridge. 

    I would like to let you know that my husband and I invite any sailors who want to, to come over to our home on the weekends. We feed them, play board games, watch movies, watch some sports , etc. We also go to special events in the area. You can find out more about us if you go to our page on this site. :) Maybe you can let him know about us. 

    Yvonne and John

  • John and Yvonne

    ProudNavyMom,

    Happy to hear your daughter is going to school in Norfolk. Just like I told Wendy520, we'd like to invite your daughter to join us on the weekends if she is allowed off base. :) Let me know if she's interested and I can pm you our cell # or if she is okay with this , we can get in touch with her. 

    Yvonne and John

  • ismenia

    Lost mom in northfolk, still no idea on arrival, miss my son.
  • TACsMom

    Hi my son is currently in Norfolk completing his FRS training and just received his orders for the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures HM-14 Squadron. Also known as Vanguard. Is there a group on here for that squadron?

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    TACsMom - I did a search for Vanguard and the only thing that came up was the aircrew group.  Maybe someone there is also a member of your son's squadron:

    http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/aircrew

  • ismenia

    Has anyone heard from their sailor? Still don't know arrival date, I know is soon, but No idea. If anyone knows please email me. I am a worry mom.
  • John and Yvonne

    To all you moms out there,

    We know you worry about your sons and daughters here in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. I would like you to know that my husband and I provide our home for these Sailors as a place to come over on the weekends, hang out, play board games, eat home cooked meals, even cook if they want to :) and go to activities in our area(re-enactments, Williamsburg, and even trips to the Outer Banks in NC. Please let your sailors know about us. We can pm our cell number to any of you. To know a little bit more about us, go to our page on this site. 

    Yvonne and John

  • jayne

    My son is at Norfolk-just arrived and needs to get his taxes done.  He says it is too long of a walk.  He will be deploying on a ship soon.  Can he just do his taxes online?

  • abuon18

    Jayne - we do our taxes online every year. TurboTax offers free federal filing for E5 and below. Not sure about state because our state of residency is FL so we don't have to file state taxes.
  • jayne

    My son's ship is out of Aviation war pin guidebooks.  Does anyone know how I can get him a copy?

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Hi jayne, navybmr.com has study guides.  Here's the link:  navybmr.com warfare study guides  

  • John and Yvonne

    Jayne, I sent you a friend request and a private message. Also if you go to our page on this site you will see more of what we do on the weekends with the sailors.

    Yvonne and John

  • misisu

    My family is headed to visit our sailor in the area next week. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do, places to visit or eat that are not very expensive? We would appreciate the input. Thanks

  • CindyN

    Misisu: Your sailor can get a National Park Servce Interagency Annual - Military Pass for free. "This is a free pass for active duty military personnel and their dependents, with valid documentation (CAC Card or DD Form 1173). Valid for 12 months from issue date. The Military Annual Pass admits passholder and three accompanying adults unlimited  admittance." The Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Settlement are north of Norfolk if you are up for a short drive.

    In downtown Norfolk you can tour Battleship Wisconsin at the Nauticus (https://nauticus.org/).

    Touring your sailors ship is also a great time. Always nice to see where they spend their time.

    You can tour Cape Henry Lighthouse and walking along the beach in Virginia Beach Boardwalk for free.

    Here are a few links I saved prior to previous trips to Norfolk in case they are helpful.

    Norfolk Naval Tour and Information Center:  45min Guided Tour

    http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/ns_norfolk/abo...

    Cape Henry Lighthouses: https://www.nps.gov/came/cape-henry-lighthouses.htm

    Military Aviation Museum: http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

    Sandbridge Beach: http://www.sandbridgebeachva.com

    Chesapeake Bay Distillery: Tours on Saturday. Located at the intersection of 17th Street and Baltic Avenue, our new facility features a Vabc store and the Blue Ridge Tasting Room.  Per Virginia ABC requirements, the tasting event allows for four one half ounce samples of alcohol.  These are available for our patrons at $7.  Tours are available 12p-4p on Saturdays at no charge for our patrons: https://www.chesapeakebaydistillery.com

    Reaver Beach Brewing: Tap Room, no tours: http://www.reaverbeach.com/

    Enjoy your trip!

  • ismenia

    Hello, wanting to know, if any mom lives in northfolk, I do . I haven't been able to find any other mom, out here. Wonder if I am the only one. Your children probably have been at my house, with my son. I am planning a cookout before deployment. I know that they will all miss a home cooked meal.
    I am still learning my way around , coming from Florida, kind of new at all of this, but trying, for my son.
  • PA Navy Mom 1st

    We have been to Florida, Texas, Mississippi and now Virginia with my son, Naval Aviator.  Toured the base and WOW was it big. Found a good dog watcher a few blocks from the base ! Probably going on his first deployment in August.

  • hockeyx2mama

    Hi ismenia - i just messaged you, friend request.

  • Liberty

    Hi everyone. My son left today on deployment anyone else?

  • Proud AG Mama

    My Sailor left yesterday as well. What ship is yours on?

  • Liberty

    He is on the USS Bulkeley-. What about your sailor?

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Good Morning and Happy Monday!

    For anyone whose sailor may have recently deployed alongside the Truman please feel free to join the Truman page :

    http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/ussharrystruman

  • Johanna

    Good morning, new to the group. Oldest Sailor and his family will be arriving in Norfolk, via Hawaii, very soon.  He does not have a boat yet and is looking for a house in Virginia Beach. Just wanted to say hi and looking forward to having them back on the east coast!

  • John and Yvonne

    Johanna.

    What size house are they looking for and do they want to rent or buy? The house across the street from us is going on the market soon.

    Yvonne and John

  • John and Yvonne

    And by the way, welcome to the group!

    :)

    Yvonne and John

  • Johanna

    Good morning Yvonne and John. Thank you for the welcome! I think they are looking at 3 and 4 bedrooms. They have been in Hawaii for 2 1/2 years, and all of the family is located in New England, so they want a big house for when we all come to visit!! They will be there early next week and still dont know if they are renting or staying in a long term hotel. They say their realtor is looking for rentals, but, so far, no luck. They have 2 subdivisions in mind. I will take a look when I get home and let you know where they are! Thank you for the info...)))

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Welcome Johanna!  A good group on Facebook to join is the closed one called “Navy Home Search,”’ where great networking goes on between Navy folks searching and offering homes for lease and for sale.

  • Johanna

    Hi Marcy, thank you for the heads up,,, I’m on it!!!

  • John and Yvonne

    Good morning Johanna. Your son and his family have been spoiled! I know we were...we spent two tours of 3 years each in Hawaii and loved it!

    And we also lived in Maine for 5 years. :) We love New England also!

    I hope they find a nice place...should they decide to buy, the house across the street goes on the market in July. :)

    Yvonne and John

  • Johanna

    Hello Yvonne and John! I shared your info with “the kids” and I will keep you posted, and yes, they have been spoiled...))))

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Johanna - I sent you a PM.

  • Johanna

    Hey B’sNukeMoM...I am going to sound like a real prize as I have NO idea how to find your PM...yours is the first one I have ever gotten...))) Is it on this page or “My Page”? 

  • Johanna

    Haha!!! Just needed more coffee!!! I found it, thank you...)))

  • navvvy22

    Does anyone know who to call to get where a sailor is specifically based at Norfolk?

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi navvvy22 - I think you would need to ask your sailor that directly.  I don't believe there's anyone who would/could give you that info otherwise. 

  • barefootie

    Hi!  My sailor is in C school in Dam Neck for a while. I am going to visit soon and I am looking for recommendations on where to stay. Navy accommodations are not available.